History | Graded Assignment | Document Analysis: “Gospel of Wealth” by Andrew Carnegie

Name: Ella Ward Date: 7.12.17


Graded Assignment
Document Analysis: “Gospel of Wealth” by Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie’s “Wealth” was published in the North American Review in 1889. The essay later became
known as the “Gospel of Wealth,” and it inspired millionaires such as John D. Rockefeller, James Buchanan Duke,
Cornelius Vanderbilt, and Carnegie himself to use their fortunes to give back to the community. Libraries, research
institutions, and universities still bear their names to this day. As you read excerpts of the “Gospel of Wealth,”
answer the questions that follow to help you analyze and understand the document’s main idea.
Excerpts of “Gospel of Wealth” by Andrew Carnegie
The problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, so that the ties of brotherhood may still
bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship. The conditions of human life have not only
been changed, but revolutionized, within the past few hundred years. In former days there was little
difference between the dwelling, dress, food, and environment of the chief and those of his retainers….
The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer with us to-day measures
the change which has come with civilization.
The price which society pays for the law of competition, like the price it pays for cheap comforts and
luxuries, is also great; but the advantage of this law are also greater still, for it is to this law that we owe
our wonderful material development, which brings improved conditions in its train…. It is here; we cannot
evade it; no substitutes for it have been found; and while the law may be sometimes hard for the
individual, it is best for the race, because it insures the survival of the fittest in every department. We
accept and welcome therefore, as conditions to which we must accommodate ourselves, great inequality
of environment, the concentration of business, industrial and commercial, in the hands of a few, and the
law of competition between these, as being not only beneficial, but essential for the future progress of the
race.
There are but three modes in which surplus wealth can be disposed of. It can be left to the families of the
decedents; or it can be bequeathed for public purposes; or, finally, it can be administered during their lives
by its possessors…. The first is the most injudicious…. The condition of this class in Europe to-day
teaches the futility of such hopes or ambitions. The successors have become impoverished through their
follies …
The growing disposition to tax more and more heavily large estates left at death is a cheering indication of
the growth of a salutary change in public opinion.
Even the poorest can be made to see this, and to agree that great sums gathered by some of their
fellow-citizens and spent for public purposes, from which the masses reap the principal benefit, are more
valuable to them than if scattered among them through the course of many years in trifling amounts.
This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of Wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious
living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those
dependent upon him; and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as
trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in
the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the
community--the man of wealth thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for his poorer brethren….
In bestowing charity, the main consideration should be to help those who will help themselves; to provide
part of the means by which those who desire to improve may do so; to give those who desire to use the
aids by which they may rise; to assist, but rarely or never to do all.
who know that the best means of benefiting the community is to place within its reach the ladders upon
which the aspiring can rise--parks, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and mind;
works of art, certain to give pleasure and improve the public taste, and public institutions of various kinds,
which will improve the general condition of the people ;--in this manner returning their surplus wealth to
the mass of their fellows in the forms best calculated to do them lasting good.

Total score: ____ of 50 points

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 History | Graded Assignment | Document Analysis: “Gospel of Wealth” by Andrew Carnegie
(Score for Question 1: ___ of 5 points)

1. What type of document was the “Gospel of Wealth?” Underline the best answer.
A. novel
B. poem
C. song
D. essay <<<<
(Score for Question 2: ___ of 5 points)

2. When and where was the “Gospel of Wealth” published?

Answer:
The Gospel of Wealth was published in the North American Review in 1889.
(Score for Question 3: ___ of 5 points)

3. Who was probably the intended audience for the essay? Underline the best answer.
A. factory laborers
B. poor Americans
C. wealthy Americans <<<<
D. small farm owners
(Score for Question 4: ___ of 5 points)

4. What did Carnegie see as the problem during the time of this writing?
Answer:
The problem Carnegie saw during his time of writing was wealth inequality.

(Score for Question 5: ___ of 5 points)

5. According to Carnegie’s beliefs, what insures the survival of the fittest in every department and is essential to
the future progress of the man?
Answer:
Carnegie thought the natural law of competition was the only way to ensure the future progress of man.

(Score for Question 6: ___ of 5 points)

6. According to Carnegie, what are the three modes of administering wealth?

Answer:
Carnegie thought the three modes of administering wealth were to leave it to the families, take it for public
purposes or it could be administered by its possessors.

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 History | Graded Assignment | Document Analysis: “Gospel of Wealth” by Andrew Carnegie

(Score for Question 7: ___ of 5 points)

7. Why did Carnegie believe that money should not be left to the families of the decedents?
A. History has shown that most heirs spend their inheritance foolishly. <<<<
B. The heirs will not use the money to support other family members.
C. Most heirs will give all their excess money to the poor.
D. Many heirs will use the money to make more money.
(Score for Question 8: ___ of 5 points)

8. Andrew Carnegie seemed to be in favor of taxing large estates heavily at death.

A. True
B. False <<<<
(Score for Question 9: ___ of 5 points)

9. According to Carnegie, what is the duty of the man of wealth?

Answer:
According to Carnegie the duty of the man of wealth is to spend their wealth to benefit all people.
(Score for Question 10: ___ of 5 points)

10. Give an example of how the wealthy can benefit a mass of people rather than just a few.
Answer:
A way the wealth can benefit a mass of people is by donation to a charity or to food banks or a cause they
believe. Essentially if the wealthy donate their money it will help a mass of people.

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